Accident in Vermont Blamed on Distracted Driver

A Massachusetts woman recently pled innocent to charges of gross negligent operation of a motor vehicle, serious bodily injury resulting; negligent operation and reckless endangerment.

The accident occurred when the driver took her eyes off of the road to examine her GPS system. When she did her vehicle struck Bradford Greene, 71, of Dummerston, VT. Greene is a political science teacher at Keene State College in Keene, NH and sustained injures to his head, chest, pelvis and arm.

The driver, Cherish Carlin, 19, and a passenger in the vehicle did not sustain any injuries. Greene was airlifted to a Massachusetts hospital after the accident. He was heading south on Route 5 when he was struck by Carlin's vehicle.

Windham County State's Attorney Tracy Shriver stated that Carlin was a distracted driver.

A recent government study shows that drowsy and distracted drivers cause 80% of all traffic accidents nationwide. The study also found that even technology designed to help a driver, such as GPS systems, can cause accidents if the driver is paying attention to the device and not the road.

After Carlin pleaded innocent to the charges she was released on $2,500 bail.